Critical rationalism and engineering: : ontology

• Autores: Mark Staples
• Localización: Synthese, ISSN-e 1573-0964, Vol. 191, Nº. 10, 2014, págs. 2255-2279
• Idioma: inglés
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• Resumen

  • Engineering is often said to be �scientific�, but the nature of knowledge in engineering is different to science. Engineering has a different ontological basis�its theories address different entities and are judged by different criteria. In this paper I use Popper�s three worlds ontological framework to propose a model of engineering theories, and provide an abstract logical view of engineering theories analogous to the deductive-nomological view of scientific theories. These models frame three key elements from definitions of engineering: requirements, designs of artefacts, and theories for reasoning about how artefacts will meet requirements. In a subsequent paper I use this ontological basis to explore methodological issues in the growth of engineering knowledge from the perspective of critical rationalism.